Peculiarities of Islamic Law of Inheritance

Abstract

Islamic Law is a byproduct of Islam while Islamic Law of Inheritance is a sub-set of Islamic Law. Generally, the law is meant to regulate the life of Muslims anywhere they may find themselves while Islamic Law of Inheritance is particularly meant to regulate how the estate of a deceased Muslim is to be shared amongst his or her heirs. Since Muslims do not live in isolation, they are found in both Muslim and non-Muslim communities, the law can therefore be referred to as international. The internationality of Islamic Law demands that both Muslims and non-Muslims should be educated on its peculiarities because it is a law mostly misunderstood by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. This paper addresses the peculiarities of Islamic Law of Inheritance with the aim of eradicating or ameliorating the misconception(s) and apathy arising from its divine nature.